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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10313-Its-All-In-The-Spirit.html
Contests & Activities: August 05, 2020 Issue [#10313]




 This week: It's All In The Spirit
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.

This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

It's All In The Spirit


We have a big celebration coming up at the beginning of September; WDC's 20th birthday! There will be lots of fun things to do in our community and I hope most of you will take the time to participate, even if it is just to stop in and say hello! There will be a link in the left column of the page, to show you all the fun things happening at Party Central. On top of that, I'm sure some special things are in the works at WDC HQ and will be announced in Party Central and in the Newsfeed by Writing.Com Support Author Icon. Are you a fan of Writing.Com Support Author Icon? I hope so! They share all the fun things going on each day and have newsfeed posts that invite interaction.

A little advice to those thinking about entering contests - don't spread yourself too thin. Check out everything that is being offered and pick out the best that suit you. Whether it's a poetry slam or a review contest, pick the ones that are manageable and stick with it. You'll be disappointed of you enter all kinds of things and then never actually finish any of them.

If you don't have time to enter everything, at least stop in and give a review or some encouraging words. A few friendly words can go a long way. I'm sure some contests and activities will be looking for donations. Not just gift points, but reviews, gifts, even a merit badge! Hey, we're allowed to give one merit badge away for free every month, use it!

If you're hosting a contest or activity, I hope you submitted your item to Party Central. And be sure to link it in your signature in emails and forums, get the word out! If you haven't had the time to explore advertising and Bid Click, give it a try! "BidClick System: Sponsored Items, Links & GenresOpen in new Window. Most of all, be active the first week of September, have fun and encourage others. It's a birthday party!


This month's question: Are you going to try something new during the birthday celebration? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Editor's Picks

FORUM
Question of the Day! Open in new Window. (18+)
Come answer a question, share a laugh, encourage one another, and bring me a coffee!
#2142667 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon

A place to answer a daily question and spark conversations.

FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

All entries must not exceed 1,000 words for stories or 40 lines for poetry. Your word or line count MUST appear in your entry post in the Cramp forum.

SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

One key part of writing is character development. There are many techniques available to assist writers in developing their characters so readers can connect and come away with a good understanding of the character and their motives. This contest explores those techniques.

FORUM
The Fox's Socks BIRTHDAY PARTYPALOOZA Open in new Window. (E)
CLOSED for now
#2225985 by GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon

There will be challenges that will help you learn how the site works as well as help you make the most of Writing.Com. The end goal is to give you the tools to help you grow as a writer as well as enjoy the activities and community here.

 
FORUM
Space Blog Open in new Window. (ASR)
Cruising WDC cyberspace and raiding ports for blog prompts!
#2223838 by Sharmelle's Expressions Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Welcome to the starship WDC Constitution! This starship will be a daily blog that will travel throughout the galaxy Writing.com and visit the various shining stars of the galaxy. You will find that each of these stars (authors on WDC) orbits planets (portfolios) that are inhabited with stories and poems. We will visit these star systems and the captain or one of the officers will choose a line from one of those stories or poems and turn that line or story into a prompt for the day. That prompt will then be announced throughout the ship VIA e-mail. Crewmembers will then use that prompt to create a blog entry for the day, in their personal blogs and enter it in the starship forum below using the bitem format or {entry: xxxxxxx}

SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

One key part of writing is character development. There are many techniques available to assist writers in developing their characters so readers can connect and come away with a good understanding of the character and their motives. This contest explores those techniques.

 
STATIC
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. (E)
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
#1908150 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Authors on Writing.Com are looking for good, useful feedback... and of course, exposure within Writing.Com. You can do a good deed by reviewing any qualifying item* on Writing.Com and you might win! Enter as many times as you want to increase your odds of being selected as a prize winner!

FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

This contest uses only spoken words or internal dialogue! AUGUST PROMPT/ Having a long talk with a man in the park who finally reveals he has Covid-19

FORUM
CLASH!  Open in new Window. (13+)
Authors face off through their characters! Follow along & vote each round.
#1908885 by Elle - on hiatus Author IconMail Icon

Original Character Tournament (OCT) - A persistent, multi-round contest in which entrants are paired/grouped off to compete head-to-head, each by writing a story about a character of their own creation overcoming their opponent's character, until a single entrant stands as victor.

FORUM
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
NOVEMBER: Comedy... Thanksgiving with the Family
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

Must be dialogue / 1,000 or fewer words / Based on the inspiration of the Image & Prompt shown


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

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Ask & Answer

This month's question: Are you going to try something new during the birthday celebration? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!

Last month's question: What are some of the best qualities of a contest or activity that made it fun?


Beholden Author Icon: I can only speak for myself but I find the contests with sensible prompts to be the best. By sensible I mean single word or short phrases that hint at a wide range of possible interpretations, not those rambling prompts that write the story for you and then expect you to finish it. Where's the creativity in that? I also prefer prompts that are not era-dependent - allow the contestant to decide the period he wants to write about. That may be personal preference since I won't write for prompts that force me into the present day - that's what we're trying to escape from, isn't it?

Contests without prompts are also good since they allow complete freedom to the creative mind. They are harder work than the prompt driven ones, however, and it's easier to allow a prompt to give you that initial kick start into writing. Some sontests ring the changes between prompted and promptless starts and I like the variety of that system.

Picture prompts are good as long as they're chosen carefully to allow a wide variation of interpretation. Never force the contestant to write the story you want to read - let them work out the meaning of the photo for themselves. A prompt should be a spark, not a blazing bonfire that you're invited to throw a stick or two on to.

That's what I think, anyway.

QueenNormaJean maybesnow?! Author Icon: I like a contest that challenges you to write to a prompt or even a picture. It gives you something to think about. The one day challenges are the hardest to do with any kind of skill, in my opinion. Longer contests, those with a deadline of a month, give you more time to write and edit. But to really give yourself a challenge go for the flash fiction of a 24 hour deadline of 300 words. That'll get the old muse talking back to you!
Queen Norma Jean *Crown*

Beacon's Anchor Author Icon Well, I think, if I really want a Merit Badge, I can either enter a contest or give a donation. I would rather give my best work to earn a Merit Badge. I like the contests on here and the owner of the contest makes it fun as well. I like both the contests and Merit Badges. I like reading this newsletter and it gives a lot of good information on everything.

🌕 HuntersMoon Author Icon: Hmmmmm. 🤔 Winning? 😅

somik1: Inclusion a few like yours.

Mikel Bardsdale Author Icon: Fair contest and participating.

Benjamin Sharpe Author Icon: I like when it isn't obvious who is winning until the winner is revealed. That way, even people who end up losing have a lot of fun and still try hard all the way to the end.

woolwaulker: Unless there is a guaranteed cash prize, that I am guaranteed to win, I don't do contests.

Thank you all for your responses in the newsletter and the newsfeed. Your replies are very much appreciated. Leger~

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